Chicago police spokesman Robert Cargie said the car's vehicle identification number matched the Mercury Sable registered to Rocco "Rockey" Bellavia, 84, of the 3200 block of North Hoyne Avenue, who was killed on Sept. 28.

Officers were sent to Portage to search the car for evidence, Cargie said.

Bellavia was found beaten to death in his garage, several hours after going outside to get the car and take his wife on an errand, police said.